Research Guides: Small Business / Entrepreneurship: Legal

IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center

Compliance

The FTC Business Center has a hub dedicated to protecting small businesses, information on marketing & advertising, and some legal resources.

The SEC has a page dedicated to small businesses and additional resources that help ensure you remain compliant.

Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) offers information on business structures, downloadable forms such Certificates of Assumed Name Forms, downloadable C-Corporation Articles of Incorporation, downloadable LLC Articles of Organization, a helpful link to find your local Register of Deeds, and general information on starting a business step by step.

SBA

A portion of the Small Business Administration's Business Guide is dedicated to outlining which business structure you are interested in, choosing a name, and how to register your business.

Registering your Business

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

How—and Why—You Should Trademark Your Business

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, as its namesake denotes, has information on filing patents, trademarks, and has a learning center to help users get the information they need in regards to both.

US Chamber of Commerce
Registering a trademark for your business can distinguish your brand from its competitors and offer you strong legal recourse for infringement. Here’s how to do it.
USPTO-Searching Trademark Database
You should search the USPTO's trademark database (Trademark Electronic Search System, or TESS) to see if any trademark has already been registered or applied for that is: Similar to your trademark, used on related products or for related services, and Live. A trademark that meets all three criteria will prevent your trademark from being registered because it creates a likelihood of confusion.

Legal - Books

The Elements of Small Business by John Thaler
Call Number: Online
ISBN: 9781563437847
Publication Date: 2015-02-25
Another title in Silver Lake Publishers Small Business Series: an essential resource for starting a business today--after the hard lessons of the dot.com recession. Most entrepreneurs already know their businesses well and have common sense--what they need are fundamental, practical tools for creating successful systems within the business. This book shows them how, including: * background discussion of business structures * legal forms for filing necessary paperwork * general advice for getting started correctly * definitions of concepts, markets and market relationships * worksheets, standard letters, sample documents * a modular system for building the plans and reports that lenders and investors need.
Legal Guide for Starting and Running a Small Business by Fred S. Steingold
Call Number: Online
ISBN: 9781413308532
Publication Date: 2008-05-18
This easy-to-understand book covers what small-business owners need to know, such as choosing a business structure, taxes and the IRS, employees and independent contractors, and much more.
J. K. Lasser's Guide to Self-Employment by Barbara Weltman
Call Number: Online
ISBN: 9781118811436
Publication Date: 2013-10-21
Tax facts and strategies every self-employed person needs to know If you're thinking about starting a business, or have already begun one, you are not alone. There are more than 23 million workers who are already self-employed and file Schedule C to report their income and expenses. As a self-employed person you have to handle many, if not all, of the aspects of running your business.
The Essential HR Guide for Small Businesses and Startups by Marie Carasco-Saul; William J. Rothwell
Call Number: Online
ISBN: 9781586445898
Publication Date: 2020-04-27
Features tried-and-true, ready-to-use tools, examples, and resources, this guide teaches the nuts and bolts of HR for small businesses and startups and is the perfect desk reference for any organization who may not have the financial resources to invest in a fully-staffed HR department. Guides readers through the HR essentials, including developing policies and organizational best practices, managing and measuring performance, driving engagement and cultivating a culture, understanding legal obligations, assessing, risk, and guidance for developing leaders.
Start a Business in North Carolina or South Carolina by Jacqueline D. Stanley; Jeffrey DeGood
Call Number: Online
ISBN: 9781572485860
Publication Date: 2006-12-01
Start a Business in North Carolina or South Carolina contains simple explanations of everything you need to know about the federal and state laws of North Carolina and South Carolina relating to starting a business. This book simplifies the start-up process in either state.

Licenses & Permits

The SBA has a list of federal license and permits listed by industry and links to the agency that fulfills those requests.

The N.C. Department of Commerce has a Business & Occupational License Database listing hundreds of business, occupational, and privilege licenses issued in North Carolina.

Employment Resources

Nolo's Employment Law and HR Section
The latest legal information for small business owners, human resources professionals, and employees -- including hundreds of articles and FAQs.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
nformation on discrimination laws and tips on the claim filing process, from the agency that enforces federal employment discrimination laws and investigates charges filed against employers.
U.S. Department of Labor
Learn about federal labor laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act, minimum wage and overtime rules, workplace safety regulations (OSHA), and much more.
Small Business Administration
Information and resources for running a small business, including tips on hiring and managing employees.
State Government Labor Offices
A list of contact information and website links for the state government labor offices in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (from the U.S. Department of Labor).
Nolo's Employment Law Blog
Lessons from the everyday experiences of employers and HR professionals on everything from hiring and firing to performance and discipline, from Nolo.
Employment Law Information Network
Articles on employment law issues, sample policies and contracts, news links, and more from employment law practitioners.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Information on all things privacy -- including workplace privacy and background checks -- from a nonprofit advocacy and education group.
Workplace Fairness
Lots of free information on employment law issues (federal and state-specific) from a non-profit group dedicated to protecting employee rights.
LII's Wex Project - Employment Law
Discussion and resources on common employment law issues from Wex, a community-built law encyclopedia from Cornell University Law School's Legal Information Institute.

NC Secretary of State

The N.C. Secretary of State's website has information on business registration, a tutorial video showing how to register your business, and a link to register your business online. They have a small video library with other useful tutorial videos.